SCI-FANTASY TABLETOP ROLE-PLAYING GAME
SCI-FANTASY TABLETOP ROLE-PLAYING GAME
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LORE AND SETTING
L o s t i n t h e W o r l d – A c c r e t i o n
The assemblage of realities that serves as GRIMWIRE™’s setting is a homage to multifarious works of sci-fi and fantasy from diverse genres, including Xenogears, Cave of Qud, The Elder Scrolls, Mad Max, Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind, Junk Head, BLAME!, Vampire Hunter D, and Trigun.
GRIMWIRE™ is not hard sci-fi, but does strive for a degree of believability when deploying scientific/technical concepts. This makes the fantasy elements all the more striking.
Gameplay
t h a t c r a n k s l i k e a d i e s l e e n g i n e
THE MECHANICS OF GRIMWIRE™ ARE INTENDED TO BE ACCESSIBLE TO PEOPLE WHO ARE NEW TO TTRPGS.
They have been designed to balance believability with ease of play.
Here are some of GRIMWIRE™’S design features:
just enough rules
The complexity of the rules is kept to the bare minimum to facilitate smooth and believable gameplay. Rules are also designed to be intuitive and easy to remember. Becoming so immersed that you forget about the rules is the intended experience.
Every game mechanic represents something actually happening in the story. There are no points, abilities, or other elements that exist purely as backend components of gameplay.
GRIMWIRE™ is compatible with maps and minis, but it is built to be playable without them.
Character progression is limited
Leveling is infrequent and character power increases by small increments. However, every stat point counts, making even small gains significant. Max-level characters are not gods, and players must therefore use creativity and strategy in addition to their character’s raw strength to overcome obstacles.
Classes are fluid
Rather than strict classes, GRIMWIRE™ “specialties” are simply groups of related special abilities. Although specialization is incentivized, any character can theoretically learn any ability–permitting the creation of highly customized characters.
Special abilities are meaningful
Characters don’t need special abilities to do most things. When they are used, these abilities have a significant impact on the game. Each ability is designed to be useful at all levels.
Balance? What balance!?
The fact that the game is currently undergoing testing and calibration means that it can have wild spikes in danger level. If that sounds exciting, you should participate in the playtest.
GRIMWIRE™ will never be refined to the point that it loses its rawness and unpredictability. Certain weapons and abilities are simply overpowered. Players will have to contend with (or escape from) enemies they can’t beat in a fair fight.